One of the hallmarks of excellence for higher education institutions is accreditation. To achieve accreditation by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, colleges and universities must meet strict quality standards in areas such as academic degree programs, faculty, fulfillment of institutional mission, student services and technology. Studying at an accredited institution, such as Southern Wesleyan University, ensures that course credits and degrees that you earn here will be accepted by other accredited colleges and universities.
Institutional Accreditation
Southern Wesleyan University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. Southern Wesleyan University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Southern Wesleyan University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Institutional Accreditation is reaffirmed every ten years (with an interim report submitted every fifth year in between). SWU’s institutional accreditation was last reaffirmed in 2019.
As part of institutional accreditation, SWU participates in a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The QEP is an integral component of the accreditation process and is derived from an institution's ongoing comprehensive planning and evaluation processes. It reflects and affirms a commitment to enhance overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an issue the institution considers important to improving student learning outcomes and/or student success. In essence, the QEP is a long-term plan aimed at enhancing student learning. Each reaffirmation cycle (10-years), Southern Wesleyan University identifies an area of needed improvement and implements a Quality Enhancement Plan to address the identified need. The QEP is reviewed by SACSCOC as part of the accreditation reaffirmation process.
Individual Program Accreditation
In addition to regional/institution accreditation, individual academic programs at SWU are accredited or otherwise recognized by specialized professional and accrediting agencies:
Department of Education
Education programs are approved by the South Carolina State Board of Education. The Department of Education is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) at the initial teacher preparation and advanced preparation levels.
Initial Level accredited programs include:
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Music Education
Physical Education
Special Education
Advanced Level accredited programs include:
Administration and Supervision
For more information about CAEP, visit https://caepnet.org/.
Department of Music
The music program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) for demonstrating excellence in their academic programs. NASM maintains a set of rigorous artistic and educational standards to assist institutional members and their faculties to do their best work. By meeting these standards, SWU seeks the best learning conditions for music students. Recognition by NASM affirms the high quality of SWU’s music programs. For more information about NASM, visit https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/.
Educational Memberships
Southern Wesleyan holds memberships in the following educational organization.
- Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)
- South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU)